Dimitrov reaches Monte Carlo semis

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Monte Carlo - Grigor Dimitrov benefited from a second-set collapse by David Goffin
on Friday to reach the Monte Carlo Masters semi-finals for the first
time with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) victory.

The 26-year-old Bulgarian got
the better of a nervy Goffin in a repeat of last year's ATP Tour Finals
final to book a last-four clash with either defending champion Rafael
Nadal or Austrian Dominic Thiem.

"I felt like I could have done things a bit better, especially at the beginning of the second set," said Dimitrov.

"Hopefully in my next match I can do better in those moments."

The
pair will team up later on Friday in the doubles quarter-finals, but
there was little charity on offer from Dimitrov towards his partner
turned opponent.

Dimitrov has struggled on clay in the past and
has never passed the French Open third round, but he was too strong for
sixth seed Goffin in the Monaco sunshine.

Fourth seed Dimitrov
edged a tight opening set after failing to serve for it as Goffin
produced a poor service game at 5-4 down, before the Belgian recovered
to race into a 5-1 lead in the second.

But Goffin wasted three set
points on his own serve as he tightened up on the most important
points, and Dimitrov broke twice to force a tie-break.

The world
number five wrapped up victory in the breaker on his second match point
to claim one of the best wins of his career on clay.